Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Reformation Day ~ 10-31

 Reformation Day is remembering the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on Oct. 31, 1517.  The following is a link with a good article on why Luther was moved to do this ~ http://www.examiner.com/article/october-31-is-reformation-day

I found the following "Sola" posters on Pinterest and wanted to share ~Reformation Day Christ Alone Printable   Solus Christussoli deo gloria reformation dayReformation Day - Faith Alone printable
Reformation Day - Scripture Alone Printable


Reformation Day printable - Grace Alone

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Book Review for Net Galley



I just finished reading "The New Lean for Life" by Cynthia Stamper Graff & Reginald Allouche.

I was interested in reading this book as it fits in with our current low carb lifestyle.  The book is written in "days" instead of "chapters" with each day representing the progression of their lean for life program.  The book does a good job of explaining how your body reacts to certain foods, why you should change your eating habits, how to make it through the plateaus of the weight loss journey & how to not go back to old habits.  It also addresses those days when the numbers on the scale creep back up a pound or so & how to address this.  There are also many testimonials of folks who have lost significant weight using this program.  It seems to follow along the lines of "Atkins" & maybe "South Beach" in it approach to carbohydrate counting/watching.

We are 3 months into our journey and this does correspond to many of the things we are doing.  And there were some good tips in the book to help us & great motivation to keep us going.

I was given this book by Harlequin Publishing (on NetGalley) for my honest opinion of this book.

Donna Jackson

Friday, October 25, 2013

Beauty & The Beast

Last night, Greg took Amy & I too see Disneys Broadway Play "Beauty & the Beast".  It was awesome!  Beautiful costumes, wonderful music, great acting!

A couple of things could have made this a more awesome night......

*The ushers (door mafia) could have not locked us out of the auditorium during the first act & song!  I had gone to the ladies room & couldn't get back in.  Of course the ushers were in and out of the doors multiple times but didn't let us in..........just at my door there were about 60 people waiting. 

*The parent with the persistently screaming loud child could have left ~ actually she should have been escorted to the door by an usher!  This happened 3 times ~ annoying!  I understand paying for a ticket and wanting to see the show ~ but the others in the balcony also paid and would have rather heard the lines & songs without the screaming child accompaniment.

*The older lady & her grandchildren could have picked a different time to leave than the last scene blocking the view of the rest of us.  And one of the grandchildren had to come back in and get her purse and coat.

*And to all the smart phone users out there ~ if you can't stay off facebook during the show...maybe you wasted your money even being there.  Put your phones in your pockets and leave them there.  Facebook will still be there in an hour and a half.

Thanks for the fun night Greg!  I enjoyed our date!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

We Can ~~~~~

 
We can ~~~~~
 
put a man on the moon
 
temperature regulate our homes
 
have instant access to the world through the internet
 
call our friends on devices no larger than a deck of cards
 
and all other manners of miracles
 
But why can't they make ~
 
Mammograms more comfortable (or at least less painful)
 
I really think this could be possible!
 
Greg said they would get more comfy if men had to start getting them ~ he is probably right!
 
On the bright side ~ its over and done with for a year!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Book Review for Net Galley



"An Untamed Heart" by Lauraine Snelling

This sweet story of faith & hard work is set in the country of Norway, in the year 1878.  The story centers around young Ingeborg Strand and her family.  She is a young woman who is strong in her faith, loyal to her family, a hard worker in the family economy & a mentor to her cousins and younger siblings.  She desires to be a midwife like her mother (mor) & has been blessed with a  kind, gentle spirit toward helping & healing others.  After the long winter, Ingeborg, her siblings & cousins move to the seter (I am assuming that means their summer farm).  Their jobs for the summer are too care for the animals, shear the sheep, spin wool and weave, and make cheese.  All of this, will help care/sustain their families till the next summer.  A spoiled, young man from the city enters their midst & from observing their family devotion to one another, their hard work & their faith ~ he falls in love with Ingeborg. 

Norway is a country that I am not that familiar with.  The words, customs, and work ethics were very interesting.  The hard work, determination, family loyalty & faith were focal to this story and greatly enhanced the story line.  While I am not thrilled with one particular event in the story (I don't want to spoil it for anyone!) ~ I am anxious to read more about this family.


I was given this Kindle edition of the book by NetGalley for Bethany House publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.

Donna Jackson

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Closet Purging!

Normally, seasons changing brings about swapping out some clothes in the closet.  It was time to put away some very summery items and get out the cooler/colder weather clothes. 

I am thrilled that as I tried stuff on ~ it didn't fit ~ because it was way too big!  I've got a sizeable pile of clothing to donate to a local charity & bless someone else!  I've got a pile to be altered...mostly some tops to be shortened since I am about 5'2".  I've got a couple of baggy sweatshirts to store in the rv for emergency coldweather clothing.  And I've got some blouses that are being saved to make a quilt with.

I told Greg after we lost weight, I wanted to cut up some of our favorite shirts and make a quilt ~ kind of a reminder of how far we have come and what we've been able to accomplish....through lots of prayer & the Lords guidance and strength. 

So far ~ I've lost 39 pounds and he has lost 59 pounds!  To say we are thrilled would be an understatement!  My fair commission check this year is going to some new clothes!  I need some nice sweaters/tops for church & some warm everyday sweatshirts.  Plus I would love a pair of boots.  Greg has to purge his part of the closet next ~ we don't know what he needs yet.

I am ready for the Thanksgiving sales & for our new local Outlet Mall to open ~ just 15 minutes from the house! 

Happy Fall Y'all!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Autumn ideas part 2

...I love the flowers and lanterns on this table!
I love the sunflowers and the large lanterns!
Thanksgiving place settings. ~ totally adorable craft!
Cute little couple made out of painted small clay pots!
Love this tablescape
gorgeous table ~ would be great for dessert table!
we heard there was Pecan Pie!  Haha...my squirrels would do this!
The squirrels in my yard would do this ~ accompanied by our dogs!
Love this baby food jar turkey
Adorable kids craft listing what they are thankful for!  Foster thankfulness early!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Cute Fall Craft Ideas From Pinterest ~ part 1

I love the Fall!  The crisp air, trees losing their leaves, shorter days & longer nights, drinking warm drinks, cuddling under quilts, brilliant colors, cozy times at home.  Here are some goodies I have collected on pinterest to spice up the fall season ~

Fun Home Things: Canning Lid Pumpkin.  Adorable!!~ I may like the spray painted one more than the rusty one!
something to do with rusty canning jar lids!
Fall Craft- scarecrow using glass jar, candy corn, yellow cup, button eyes.
this little guy would be a cute 'happy' on the Thanksgiving Table

Rustic Owl Thanksgiving Printables -
love this for thanksgiving.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Studying James

On Wed. nights our Pastor is doing a verse by verse study on the book of James in the New Testament.  The advantage of studying a book this way is you can study it in context, learn about the time it was written, the customs then, and sometimes if the book (or letter as in Pauls writings) was written for a specific people group.  You don't get that teaching/context if the Pastor/teacher pulls one verse out of context to fit his own topic.  That kind of teaching is how a lot of folks are led astray or led to mans ideas instead of Gods truth.

The introduction to the book of James in my Bible says "James (a brother of Jesus) writes this letter to urge Christians to express their faith in daily living.

So, do people know we are Christians by our actions, words, activities, involvement in the world.  Or do they see us going to church on Sunday & maybe Wednesday night and living like the rest of the world othertimes.  Do they see us living out our faith on Facebook or other social media?  Do they see us contradicting our faith by what we say or do? 

James1:19-24 says

My dear brothers, take note of this "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefor, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you.  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it ~ he will be blessed in what he does.

We are not only to be Hearers of the Word, but Doers of the Word.  We don't have to DO to become a Christian but we DO because we are Christian.  Christ did everything there was to DO in our salvation.  Doing is living out our Faith ~ do we see the poor & do nothing, do we hear of a need & forget it, do we never take action, do we guard all our time and keep all our money ~ even though we know what we are supposed to do?  That would mean we were Hearers only and never Doers. 

One of my favorite sections in James is chapter 3 verses 17 & 18.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

The Lord gives His children pure wisdom, love of peace, considerate attitudes, submissive spirits, mercy, our lives produce good fruit, we are impartial, and sincere.

Does this describe us and our lives?  Do these traits come out in our daily living & our dealings with others?  Or do we come up with excuses such as: "This doesn't apply to me," or  "This was only written to those people," or "God doesn't mean that," or "The real meaning got lost in the translation". 

Do we do what the scriptures tell us as His Children & followers to do?

Lots of wisdom to think about and evaluate in our own lives and households.


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Wedding 911

Accidents happen ~ you can't remember everything ~ someone will need something ~

For weddings its such a good plan to be prepared for the unexpected & hope you don't have to use any of it!

After being intimately involved in 3 weddings in 2 years ~ I am slowly developing a "list" of 911 items to have on hand.

The usual items would be ~
*extra makeup
*combs/brushes
*hairspray
*bobby pins/hairclips/barrettes
*curling iron/curling brush/hot curlers
*safety pins
*corsage pins

And here are some others ~

*An emergency sewing kit ~ needles, thread, steam a seam tape, Velcro strips, scissors, buttons, snaps, etc.  You could need any of these or none of these....better take just in case.
*Bathroom supplies for guests ~ facial tissues, wipes, lotion, feminine products, air freshner, one use toothbrushes, trial size deodorants etc  (this would come in handy for the wedding party getting ready at the church or venue)
*Non messy snacks/drinks ~ bottled water, soft drinks or bottled teas, packaged crackers, cheese sticks, sandwich supplies, raw vegies ~ if you spend hours at the venue ahead of time, you need a pick me up!
*An iron/ironing board ~ we had the iron but no board....my sister kneeled on the floor and ironed my dress while we were setting up the buffet stuff (THANKS)
*Entertainment for little ones ~ snacks, sippee cups, willing baby sitters, little toys, etc.
*Anything you think you "could" need but aren't sure of ~ if you don't take it...you will need it.


The brides room was filled with excited laughter, flounces, frills, makeup, hair curling, encouragement, love, happy tears, and a bride ready to make her debut!

The grooms room was filled with cheers, watching a football game (on a laptop), and a groom ready to see his bride!

The following 2 pictures are from our latest wedding on 9-28 ~ 


Weddings are a lot of fun!
Weddings are very emotional!
Weddings are tiring!
Weddings are much anticipated, highly photographed, special days of love & laughter!

Weddings are a blessing from the Lord for families & couples!

For our family ~ weddings are also the time when all of our children are in the same place at the same time ~ which is a blessing for Greg & I.



Monday, October 14, 2013

How much easier life would be if everyone followed this principle!

Greg and I were talking about this last night.  Do people listen to what they say?  Do they think about their words ahead of time?   Do they think about the impact their words will have on the hearers?  Are they being honest or does their version of the "truth" vary depending on who is the listener? 

And we need to apply these same expectations to ourselves and our dealings with others. 

Life is tough ~ its a little easier if you can count on people to be up front and honest.
And they should expect the same from us!


Friday, October 11, 2013

State Fair 2013!

2 weeks ago Angel dropped my fair stuff off for judging ~ 8 days ago we saw all the ribbons for everyone ~ the fair ends on Sunday ~ we pick up our stuff on Monday & the fair is over for another year!

Here are some pictures from our morning at the fair!

Amys Log Cabin quilt sporting its blue ribbon!

My Red & White  quilt

zoo animals quilt that will go in Amy's hopechest

A is for Amy ~

Amy's paper snipping ~ Eric & Ariel

My Harvest Blessings cross stitch

Cross stitch bibs for Thomas

its not the fair without Amys Deep Fried Milky Way Bar ~ her once a year treat!

ooey, gooey delicousness!
I stuck to my declaration of last year and only made stuff I really liked!  I had lots of quilted items, embroidery, cross stitch, smocking etc.  I had a few wooden items I wanted to do but ran out of time!  It would be really nice if the judges gave you a critique of what they liked or more importantly didn't like about a project ~ why a red instead of a blue ribbon or white instead of red, etc.  This fall and winter will be spent making crafts and being cozy.

This post is being shared on
http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2013/10/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-129-apples.html

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Book Review for Net Galley

 
"A Bride for Keeps"
by Melissa Jagears
 
Its a very sweet book written about a time when mailorder brides were pretty common "out west", when men worked their fields in order to survive till the next harvest, when women were essential to keep the home running and helping their men with whatever needed to be done.
 
This story is set in Kansas in 1876.  Mr. Everett Cline is about to be set up by his neighbor Rachel, who has ordered him a mail order bride.  This isn't the first time he has had this experience and the story is entwined with his past experiences and his lack of expectations for this relationship to succeed and result in marriage.  Then Miss Julia Lockwood comes to town at the "invitation" of Rachel, with her own history of distrust of men and a lack of Faith in the Lord.
Everett & Julia spend the book working through their trust issues, both with their pasts and the present.
 
The story is very well written and engages the reader.  It is easy to become involved with the lives of the characters ~ rooting for the good guys & booing the bad guy!
 
 
 

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Fall!

Its fall and fair time here in Mississippi.

My friend Angel, took mine and Amy's fair projects for drop off while we were out of town for the wedding.  This past week, we went to see all the projects and all the ribbons.  Its always fun to see everyones projects & get ideas!  This year we were really impressed with the gourds that were so creatively painted!  There were some tiny ones grouped in a basked painted like candy corn! 

I counted 20 blue ribbons for Amy ~ a some projects we never located.  Her pink/green log cabin was displayed in the youth section proudly sporting its blue ribbon!  She worked long and hard on that quilt and hand quilted around each section.

I think I entered 45 or 46 items ~ got 36 blue ribbons, several red, 1 white and didn't find some items.  I had some extra items for different categories that I couldn't use this year, so I already have 4 or 5 for next year!

Today, we did a craft fair at a local church.  We sold crocheted dishcloths, smocked dresses, quilted kindle cases, sugar hand scrub, wooden cigar boxes made into trinket boxes, aprons, and beaded baby bracelets.  We did really well and are going to be more prepared and orgazined for the next craft fair, next month at our church.

While Amy and I were at the craft fair, Will & Greg made 2 trips to a local thrift store hauling donations down there.  And they put several items in the attic to get them out of the garage.  And cut the grass!  So they were busy too!

Tonight we ran some errands and ate dinner at Red Lobster ~ using my birthday gift card from James! 

Friday, October 4, 2013

Lots of Help!

Lots of kids can mean lots of work ~ but it can also mean lots of help!  Sat. is meant lots of help, and Sat. would have been much more stressful on Greg and I if we didn't have all this excellent assistance.

Thanks James, Rob, Andy, Katie, Bryant, Will, Amy Lynn & Amy Kate for all the help ~ packing, unpacking, and repacking the cars ~ and then repeating on Sunday morning before everyone left.  Chopping vegies, filling cups, covering tables, cleaning up, doing hair & makeup for Jennifer, taking pictures, making coffee, filling food dishes, many trash runs, and the support ~ I was overwhelmed with everything and very grateful & thankful!

Chef Greg did pretty much all of the cooking

the dressing crew is at work

vegie chopping & bread slicing


setting up the serving tables

getting the bride ready

My "nod" to Allens love of UGA....bread basket liners

Beverage Station

ice fillers

My Nephew who took the wedding photos (Billy)
Granny did lots of stuff to make this weekend possible ~ feeding all of us for 3 or 4 days, providing beds for 12 people, lots of food buying & ham slicing, helping with all the decorations & ideas, and just being the best Granny these kids could ever dream of!

My sister & niece helped with pictures, getting ready & clean up (lots of cleanup). 

Robert helped by being cute & being calm & quiet for most of Sat.  Lots of walks, playtime, and snacks provided by many indulgent aunts & uncles!

My awesome husband once again went above and beyond my expectations & helped exceedingly, abundantly more than anyone can imagine!  I love you!

My ultimate thanks goes to the Lord for bringing Allen & Jennifer together.  For being with them through their trials and hardships of the last year.  For bringing them through these situations.  For the love He has shown to all of us and the wisdom He has provided.

It was an awesome day ~ Full of fun, laughter, tears, and Love!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Wedding Finery

Our beautiful new daughter ~ Jennifer


My guys~looking great in their black suits and red shirts~


My 2nd born son ~ Allen Scott

waiting to see His Bride!


His first words..."You look Amazing!"



Showing off their cowboy boots!

Katie, Amy Kate, Jennifer, Amy Lynn & Me

The Ceremony

The Dip

First Dance


Girlie Fun!

They had the DJ sing happy Birthday to cousin Bobby for his 8th ~ he had to wear his Pirate gear!


Our first AWESOME bite of sweets in 3 months!  Allens wedding cake!

delicious cheating ~ only 2 bites!

family dance line ~ far right is little cousin Patrick, then Rob, Allen, Jennifer, AmyKate, Niece Bethany, AmyLynn, Katie & Bryant.  Front is my great niece Hailey


Line Dancing

Greg & I with my "first" family ~ Sister in Law Lorrie with her gang!

My Mom, Granny, and all her grandkids & greats!

Tired feet...we switched to comfy shoes!

cross stitch by Granny

grandson Robert & great niece Hailey dancing!


Robert and his mommy, Katie dancing

I'm not sure why the evening ended with Bethany tying Rob up with tulle.....but it did!

We had a very long day but very fun.  Greg got up Sat. morning and fixed everyone omelets for breakfast ~ which were yummy!  Then we ran a couple of errands (wouldn't ya know JoAnns would have a 1 day sale on a roll or quilt batting $249.99 down to $99 and then another 20% off that for my birthday coupon ~ we HAD to go!), a quick trip to Sams for Andy & Amys flat tire ~ then we headed to the venue.  I anticipated horrible traffic because of the GA/LSU game that day ~ we hit none...either coming or going~ and that is a miracle on a game day and we were very close to Athens.  We got everything set up, decorated, fixed, and took loads of pictures.

The Bride and Groom were beautifully radiant ~ so happy for their big day to finally be here!

And I was a Happy Mama!